Wikipedia:WikiProject Square Enix/Manual of style

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This manual of style is geared towards Final Fantasy related articles. It currently needs revising as it is now expected to apply to all Square Enix related articles.

The following is a style guide for Final Fantasy related articles. For general article guidelines, seeManual of Style.

The following is a style guide for editors who contribute to Final Fantasy-related articles and identify themselves as part of WikiProject Final Fantasy. Please remember, this is simply a guide, and may change depending on Wikipolicy or participant consensus. Additionally, all Wikipedia policies must be followed; there is no exception.

Participants may quote this style guide by using the numerical system in effect (e.g. 3.1.7)

If possible, make the title the subject of the first sentence of the article (as opposed to putting it in the predicate). In any case, the title should appear as early as possible in the article — preferably in the first sentence.

The first time the title is mentioned in the article, put it in bold using three apostrophes. Here's an example: '''article title''' produces article title. Do not put links in the title.

Do not capitalize second and subsequent words unless the title is a proper noun (such as a name) or is otherwise almost always capitalized (for example: Cloud Strife, but Buster sword).

In general only create page titles that are in the singular (Key item not Key items).

Except in titles of works or in official names, avoid the definite ("the") and indefinite ("a"/"an") articles at the beginning of a page name. This applies even if the subject of the page is usually preceded by the definite article "the" in speech or writing: Thus, for example, City of the Ancients is preferred over The City of the Ancients.

If names are common (e.g. Lulu) we must apply a tag in parathesis. Tag the article name with the title the subject is originally related to, or where he/she first featured (e.g. Lulu (Final Fantasy X)), or, if the subject appears across titles, use (Final Fantasy) (e.g. Cid (Final Fantasy))

All Wikipedia policies must be followed, especially those outlined at attribution, which states that material should be attributable to a reliable source. In video gaming, this includes sites like IGN, GameSpot, magazine and newspaper articles, strategy guides, and, when necessary, the game script. Please read the policy carefully.

Always consider notability (general importance) of a piece of information before adding it to an article. As a general-purpose encyclopedia, Wikipedia is not the ideal place to include any possible information that could be considered useful. Consider using the Final Fantasy wiki on Wikicities for indepth information.

Always italicise any Final Fantasy title mentioned in the game, or the name Final Fantasy itself.

Album titles should placed in italics.

Song titles should be placed in "double quotes".

Character names, production staff or other names should not be italicised unless used to highlight them.

A wikilink only needs to appear in the article once - at the first mention. (e.g. if Cloud Strife is linked early on, it does not need to be linked anywhere else in the article)

The same goes for role-playing game abbreviated as RPG. Even though most editors will likely understand what you mean, Wikipedia is a general interest encyclopedia, and the casual user may not be familiar enough with gaming terminology to make sense of what many of us take for granted.

When you upload a Final Fantasy image or music sample, you should place it in Category:Final Fantasy media. Limit use of music or image samples: Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia, and should not be using excessive non-free content.

Per consensus, Spoiler warnings will not be used for any article associated with this WikiProject.

This is followed by concise general interest information such as the game's sales reception, innovative features and cultural references, if they can be identified (all of these can be expanded on later in the article).

The following is a general subsection skeleton for game articles, with optional subheadings.

Gameplay

Plot

Setting

Characters

Story

Development

Audio

Re-releases/Spinoffs

Merchandise

Reception and criticism

See also

Notes and/or references

External links

This order may be rearranged depending on the article and the situation.

Articles conclude with two navigational aid templates and a list of categories.

The first navigation aid is the title template, named after the shortform of the game title (e.g., {{FFVII}} or {{FFX}}).

The second is series template, {{Final Fantasy series}}.

Finally, categorise the article appropriately, primarily listing categories for the title itself, the computer and video games category of the year of release, and the category(ies) of the platform(s) on which the title has been released.

An external link to the Final Fantasy Wikia's category on the specific game's characters should be provided.

Playable characters should have an acceptable image and a succinct summary of their role in the plot. Image alignment may vary according to the requirements of the page. If the summary of relevant, encyclopedic information grows too large and out of universe information is available, the character may be split to its own article (in which case direct the reader to the main page using the {{main|character_name}} template, placed at the start of the character's summary). This should be used sparingly and only where applicable.

Other major characters mainly consist of a just a suitable summary. If the character is a primary antagonist or otherwise particularly important, an image may be added. It is generally unlikely that other major characters would require a separate article, mainly because of the lack of out of universe information available for most Final Fantasy topics.

Minor characters are listed with a short summary and invariably require neither images nor separate articles. Extremely minor characters should not be mentioned whatsoever.

These general character articles should not be exhaustive, particularly in the latter two sections. As always, material must be attributed to reliable sources, whether it be interviews about character creation, game script, character information in strategy guides or manuals, and magazine articles.

For every character section, list the character's name in bold lettering the first time it appears in the article.

For example, Vincent Valentine should not include his stat levels, his weapon guide or how he is obtained as a character out of encyclopaedic terms.

For example, we should not include how to achieve Barret as a date at Gold Saucer.

Articles should not be a collection of quotes, cheats, or external links.

Try to organize information and topics so that it ensures real-world coverage throughout (thereby establishing notability). For example, if you can only find a couple sentences worth of real-world information for each main character of a game, then everything belongs in a cast of characters article to ensure encyclopedic coverage. Plot/character/gameplay summaries can be consolidated with the help of a good writer, so there is no true excuse for lengthy in-universe subarticles.

This is intended as a quick and simple guide to upholding the claims of fair use of media in our project articles. Please correct any errors and omissions, and update to reflect current Wikipedia policy.